Christ and Religious Diversity, Part 3 (10/14/08)

Heather and I were driving home late one night and saw, on the other side of the freeway, a man walking down the middle of the four eastbound lanes. We pulled over, called 911, and waited until the police arrived. If he had been on our side of the freeway, I may have pulled up to him and tried to get him off the road myself. If I had known him I would have certainly been even more aggressive in trying to get him off the road. If someone is endangering themselves, knowingly or unknowingly, the only humane thing to do is to try to stop them. There is only one way to God, but people all around us are walking into oncoming traffic, down the middle of the freeway, thinking they’re on their way to God. And in our religiously diverse and tolerant culture, no one is trying to stop them. If your Muslim coworker were playing in traffic, you would yell and scream, “You’re going to kill yourself! Get out of the road!” But if your Muslim coworker is on his way to Hell, you smile and say, “Have a good weekend.”

Humm...

Steven,
I think either way I'd try to get the person out of the road. Either by calling the police or physically moving him. I would not say, "have a nice day." I don't think anyone would for that matter. No matter the race or where they were going. Isn't it in our nature to help someone when in need?

Moving forcefully

Instead of getting him out of the road and putting myself in danger, I would let the police handle it. You never know if he is drunk, high, or in a state of mind that could put you in danger. Lifeguards before they save some one first take into account if there own life will be safe. Same with firefighters, police, etc.

Just a though..

It is true that you have to take into consideration the safety of your own life. But isn't it also true that you have to act quickly after you think rationally? In order to save someone's life, you have to act. I understand that the police and the firemen do this already, but what if they don't show up? Do you then leave the person for dead? Or do you do something about it?
The only reason why I ask this is because I grew up in a neighbor hood where the police didn't do much of anything for anybody. They always showed up after the fact.

You're right, but...

You're right that nobody. seeing someone in danger, simply says, "Have a nice day." It is almost a reflex to help someone in dire need. We need to act quickly when it comes to saving someone's life. So why don't we (I'm including myself) do anything about the people all around us dying spiritually, heading toward an eternity without God?

on the contrary..

I do help. I plant the seed multiple times. I can't force them to take something that they don't want.